Joe Wilson

Parx Racing has kicked off renovations to the Philadelphia-area oval's turf course, a project that is expected to take approximately four weeks. "We want to thank the horsemen and women for their collaboration and patience as we begin the process of renovating the turf course," said Parx Chief Operating Officer Joe Wilson. "We expect this course will be held to the highest safety standards and we are looking forward to the return of turf racing here at Parx." The renovation began Wednesday, April 8 with the sod--provided by Tuckahoe Farms...

The $1 million GI BetParx Pennsylvania Derby, set for Saturday, September 19, will headline the 2026 live racing schedule at Parx Racing which released its calendar for next year Thursday. The track, which  typically operates a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday schedule throughout the year with select Friday and weekend dates, will play host to 149 days of live racing throughout the year. In 2026, there will be racing held on all three Triple Crown Saturdays (May 2, May 16 and June 6) as well as on Kentucky Oaks Friday (May...

When racing was canceled on Dec. 2 at Parx after the first two races, horseplayer Mitch Demick said he was relieved. He said that he had bet about $120 combined on the early Pick 4 and the Big 5 Pick 5. Entering the third race of the day, which was not run, he did not have a live ticket with either bet. As someone who often plays the horizontal wagers at Parx, Demick was sure he knew the rules and that he was entitled to a refund. According to both...

Parx will begin installing a new turf course in March with the goal of racing on it by late summer 2026. There has been no grass racing at Parx since September 2024. In August of that season the course was closed after a catastrophic equine injury during a stakes resulted in a euthanization, triggering a safety review by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA). The track was cleared to reopen by HISA within several weeks, with Parx agreeing to put new protocols and maintenance procedures in place. But another...

The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission (PHRC) on Tuesday voted to grant Thoroughbred racing dates for 2025 that will feature 150 programs at Parx, 105 at Penn National, and 76 at Presque Isle Downs. Prior to the vote on the dates, however, executives from each track were asked to do something rarely required by racing commissions in this country: Principals from each venue were requested to explain the rationale behind the 2025 takeout rates that accompanied each licensee's dates request. Takeout rates, the per-bet pricing structure that tracks and states impose...

At the recent American Horse Council (AHC) Annual Meeting, the Board of Trustees elected new officers and filled standing committee chair positions, the organization said in a release Thursday. The new officers are: Dr Rick Mitchell, Chair; representing United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Marilyn Bertera, Vice Chair; representing United States Trotting Association Matt Iuliano, Treasurer; representing The Jockey Club Kristin Werner, Secretary; representing The Jockey Club At the same event, the following standing committee chairs were approved: Kathy Alm, of PATH International as chair of Equine Welfare Katie Flynn, DVM,...

Chris Griffin has been named as the new voice of Parx Racing. Following the retirement of announcer Keith Jones in December, Parx launched an extensive search for their next track announcer. "Keith was here for 34 years," said Joe Wilson, Chief Operating Officer for Parx Racing. "This was a new process for all of us. Chris is a rising star in our industry with a tremendous work ethic. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Parx family." Griffin added, "This is my opportunity to enter a booth that saw...